Ember sat mouth agape after having heard Twilight’s story.
Between the Sonic Rainboom, the Cutie Marks, and the sudden power serge that allowed Twilight to hatch a dragon egg, she was beyond her capacity to process it all.
“Ember?” Twilight attempted, “Are you okay?”
The Dragon Lord blinked rapidly, as if she had just come out of a trance. Then, she looked at Twilight so intensely that it might have even matched Fluttershy’s trademarked stare.
“Okay,” Ember finally announced, “I believe you.”
“Huh?” all but Twilight responded.
Ignoring the outburst, Ember breathed a puff of magenta flame summoning a polished alabaster tablet, then continued speaking as she lightly rubbing the stone with the palm of her claw.
“Sorry for doubting you, but what you’ve told me is unlike anything I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s okay,” Twilight reassured, “but, what are you doing?”
“I’m writing my father. He might be able to help.”
Removing her claw from the tablet Ember took a deep breath and started speaking in a language completely unfamiliar to all the ponies present. Stranger still, with each word she spoke a spark of flame erupted from her mouth taking on a foreign shape that landed on the alabaster leaving a scorch mark. After the white stone surface was about two-thirds covered in those markings, Ember stopped and studied her handywork. A few moments passed and she nodded before enveloping the whole surface in a quick blast of her flame. When the fire disappeared so too did the markings. Ember then set the now blank stone on the seat next to her as she leaned back.
“What was that?” Starlight asked, still a little taken aback.
“Flame script,” Ember replied matter-of-factly, “We don’t have much paper or parchment in the dragon lands so it’s more convenient for us.”
“Can all dragons use it?” Enquired Twilight.
“Yeah, but not many know how. I only know how to because my father wanted to keep in touch while he was away on dragon lord business.”
“Oo!” Pinkie chimed in while appearing inches from Ember’s face, “Can you send it out to more than one receiver? Does it work for birthday invitations? Will it send pictures as well? Can you…”
Noticing Ember’s discomfort, Twilight levitated Pinkie a few feet back, “I think that’s enough. We’ll look into all that later.”
Ember gave Twilight a grateful smile.
Twilight replied with a nod. Then asked, “So you really think your father will know what to do?”
“Well, he had been Dragon Lord for a thousand years, and he’s a lot smarter than he lets on.”
“Okay…”
Ember’s stone tablet began to glow. The light enveloping it broke up into smaller sections then concentrated into little characters that turned black as the light faded.
“Oh,” responded Ember, “that’s a lot sooner than I expected.”
As she read the message Ember’s expression grew more and more agitated, her irritation causing her to stand until finally her anger erupted into a fiery roar aimed at the ceiling.
“Stupid old Croc!” She ranted as she used her forearm to hurriedly wipe the tablet clean. Though still covered in grey streaks, a new message was already being applied to the alabaster surface.
While still not able to read them, Twilight could tell the written characters had jagged, more threatening look to them.
Once she finished sending the message, Ember chucked the now blank tablet onto the couch before slamming herself down next to it.
Before Twilight could even question Ember about what just happen, the Tablet started to glow again.
Snatching it up Ember studied the message as it settled. All the ponies present showed obvious surprise as quickly Ember’s anger disappeared and her expression became crest fallen.
“What’s wrong sugar cube?” Applejack enquired, gently resting a hoof on Embers free claw.
Ember slowly gazed at each of the ponies, wearing a look of apprehension she explained, “To get my dad to help he insist I take all of you to the Nest Lands.”
“Nest Lands?” Twilight asked cocking her head in confusion.
“It’s were most dragons are born,” answered Ember somberly, “the region between here and there is dangerous, so much so that we dragons usually leave the Nest Lands in mass in order to protect the little ones.”
“The Dragon migration.” Rainbow Dash announced with realization.
Ember nodded.
“Um,” Fluttershy, who had just calmed down from her shock at seeing Ember’s outburst, piped in, “excuse me, but what did you mean when you said he wanted all of us?”
Ember looked a little confused before answering, “Uh…all seven of you.”
“Oh, I see,” Fluttershy responded, now noticeably shaking.
“Wait,” interjected Starlight, “Why would he want me to come too? I didn’t see the rainboom.”
“Sorry,” apologized Ember, “I’m not really sure.
Scratching he chin she added, “Seven is an important number among dragons, so it could be for a just about anything.”
“Well,” interjected Twilight, “I guess we’ll find out when we get there.”
“Great!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, before her tone dropped from excitement to curious, “So, how Do we get there?”
“Let’s take a look at the map and plot our course.” Announced Twilight.